Soul Seeds by Catherine Castle

Soul Seeds

 

Image by Susanne Jutzeler, suju fotografie from Pixabay

 

“God created man, in the likeness of God made He him. Male and female created He them and blessed them.” Genesis 5:1-2

 

Have you ever wondered about seeds?

 At first glance, there is nothing special about a seed. Some might be little, black, round seeds. others are knobby tubers, or have brush-like fibers tipped in black and gold. Some seeds are prettier than others, but none are so extraordinary that you would exclaim over them. However, hidden inside each seed or bulb is the DNA for complete plant. Encapsulated in speck, some no bigger than a period on a piece of paper, is a living thing. A flower or vegetable with its DNA pattern stored within the tiny black dot. Plant a seed and nurture it and a beautiful flower, tree, bush, tasty vegetable, or a weed grows. What a marvelous wonder that is.

 Have you ever wondered about humans?

 At first glance, there isn’t anything special about most of us. We can be mild tempered, happy-go-lucky, or bad tempered. Some of us are short. Others are tall. We can have ordinary faces, natural beauty, or even no beauty at all. But hidden inside each of us, like there is in each seed from which a plant grows, is the potential to become something more beautiful than we appear to be. It’s not a DNA thing or a unique chromosome that creates our beauty. Instead, it’s our souls, made in the likeness of God with the ability to respond to God’s love and infinite grace. When we surrender to God and let His word and His love nurture our souls, we have the potential to become beautiful beyond our wildest imagination.

 A good botanist or gardener can often look at a seed or tuber and know what kind of plant will grow from it. They know the right conditions needed to help the plant succeed. They know what to do to protect the plant from natural enemies. They know how to make the plant grow. The wonder of seeds is that all the ingredients it needs to become a plant are captured within its shell, whatever that may look like. Add some sunshine and water and the plant grows.

 We can’t look at a person and know what they will become. We can’t discern what choices they will make or where those choices will lead them in life. We can’t accurately predict anything that happens in their lives. Only God knows that.

But we can make our own choices to help our soul seeds grow. Through Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace we can bask in the light of the Son and drink the Living Water of the Word. The soul that God planted in us can grow into something more beautiful than any flower that ever sprouted from a seed. For a gardener like me, that’s something to look forward to.

About the Author:

Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. She also lays claim to over 300 internet articles written on a variety of subjects and several hundred poems. In addition to writing she loves reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her award-winning Soul Mate books The Nun and the Narc and A Groom for Mama, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog

 

Devotion: They Were All Gone by Jamin Baldwin

They were all gone. 

Two years, I had waited to walk down the avenue lined with cherry trees, displaying their soft pink blossoms. But, we were too late.

    

My husband and I stumbled across this little piece of heaven, while on our anniversary. I had never seen anything so breathtaking. Following on the heels of an extremely difficult year, it was the first time my heart had smiled in a while. So, you can imagine my disappointment when it took us two years to come back, only to find out, we were too late. 

   

I masked my disappointment as we strolled through the flower-less trees. My husband took a step ahead of me.

"Look." He whispered and plucked one little rain-battered blossom from the tree, it's petals drooping, it's colors faded.

   

My heart soared.

   

My grandmother had been right. God does care about the little things! If he sees the little sparrow, he can surely see us.

   

I saw myself in that little blossom. Wilted and storm-battered. Clinging desperately to my source of life. Feeling insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The last one. My colors fading.

   

But, God knew the worth of that blossom. He saw the impact it would make.

   

As I took that blossom in my hand, it's as if I heard God whispering to me.

   

"Chin up, Little Sparrow. I see you."

   

Just think, even in your wilted, storm-battered condition, you are the blossom that some weary heart needs to see.

   

Don't lose hope now. God knows your struggles and he hasn't forgotten you. Colors fading? Cling to your source of life. Storm-battered? Hold on, He's coming. 

Today, listen closely. 

Hear him whisper.

    

"Chin up, Little Sparrow...I see you."

About Jamin:

I have many writing passions, Historical romance and poetry topping my list of favorites. I also enjoy brainstorming and critiquing with other writers.

Mary Did You Know? A belated Mother’s Day Devotion

I’m a bit late on the timing of the devotion, but I didn’t have Mother’s Day slot on the blog, so I thought I’d just put it in now. After all, we should honor mothers all the time.

A week before Mother’s day, my husband’s best friend mentioned at lunch that he had communion meditation on Mother’s Day, and the two men began tossing around ideas at the meal.

The song Mary Did you Know? was mentioned. Normally considered a Christmas song, I thought it could make a perfect Mother’s Day song for church. It’s about Jesus’ mother and what she was going to experience with her son. But the song is also about what Jesus would go through. Click here for a great YouTube Video of the song

Well, I couldn’t get the song out of my mind. I began to wonder how Mary felt about her son: knowing he was God in the flesh, wondering what he would do, what he might have to suffer. As these questions played through my mind I remembered an innocent statement our daughter uttered as a child.

 We were in the car, coming home from church one evening, and she suddenly announced, “I love Jesus. I want to go see him.”

 “You will, someday,” I assured her.

 “No,” she replied emphatically. “I want to go see him now!’

Those seven words struck panic in my heart. I glanced over at my husband who was driving. His face held the same look of terror that I felt in my heart. The only way our child would see Jesus--at that moment--was to die!

I knew as an innocent child she would certainly go to heaven, but, as her mother, I had no desire to see her leave this earth. On a spiritual level, I was glad my child loved Jesus so much that she wanted to see him face to face. On a human level I was terrified to hear her say she wanted to see him now.

As mothers we pour ourselves into our children. We give them our love. We bear their sorrows. We feel their hurts and fears as keenly as if they were our own. We want the best for them.

I'm certain Mary had those same maternal instincts for her son Jesus. Knowing she had birthed the son of God, she must have felt a great responsibility to raise her son right. I wonder if she prayed every night for guidance from  God, much like we do with our children. What must she have thought when she finally realized the sacrifice that would be required of her?  What pain she must have borne as she watched him go to his death. I suspect that she would have taken his place on the cross if she could have.

But she couldn’t. God needed to sacrifice Jesus so we could be saved. Like Mary, He had to watch as his son died for our sins.

 

That night when my daughter announced she wanted to see Jesus, and I knew death was the only way she could at that moment see Jesus, I felt the fear Mary must have experienced when she knew her son would die. Mary didn't know God's full plan. Thankfully, it would be revealed to her in the coming days.

 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

 With a love like that, how can we not love Him back?

 

About the Author:

Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her award-winning Soul Mate books The Nun and the Narc (an inspirational romantic suspense) and A Groom for Mama (a sweet romantic comedy with a touch of drama), on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog.

 

 

Rest Stop Blessings

 

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  Phil 4:11

 

My husband and I have traveled a lot and often stop at highway rest stops for breaks. When we were younger, we were usually on a mission to get to our destination, so we zipped in and out as fast as the lines in the bathrooms would allow. As we’ve grown older, the stops have become longer as we hit the bathrooms and take a few minutes stretching our aging legs. On those rest-stop strolls I’ve discovered something very interesting—mini-gardens dotted throughout the rest stop landscape. These tiny gardens are a visual blessing to road-weary travelers.

I’m not sure why these mini-gardens have become fascinating to me recently. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and thinking about downsizing my own garden. Or maybe I’m captivated with rest stop gardens because  I’m always on the lookout for fodder for the two garden blogs I have, entitled  Through the Garden Gates and A Writer’s Garden where I talk about my garden, gardens I have visited, and the gardens of other writers I host. After all, you never know what might spark an idea for a post or story. At any rate, I’ve begun to appreciate small like I never have before.

When we think about gardens our minds often go to places like Versailles or Biltmore where a small army of gardeners tend hundreds of acres of landscaping that is perfectly trimmed, perfectly weeded, and always blooming. (Well, at least that’s where my mind goes, because I adore walking though and drooling over those gardens.) Likewise, the pinnacle of authorship represents best-selling books—lots of them. And that perfect home is all-brick (for easy maintenance), located in a fantastic neighborhood, and boasts five-bedrooms, four baths, with every room big enough that you can see empty wall space. If it’s bigger, then it must be better, right?

 

But sometimes, the best things come in smaller packages. A tiny garden in a plot or a recycled trashcan can bring as much joy as an acre of lush landscape you have to tend daily. The sweet success of seeing your name on the cover of your first published book is something that will never fade, even if you never reach best-seller status. And I guarantee you will always remember the first time you cross the threshold of your tiny, starter home.

 

So, the next time you’re tempted to wish for something bigger, or declare what you have already isn’t sufficient, step back and look for the rest stop blessing—that small, but beautiful, nugget that lets you know how much you really have.  You might be surprised at what you see.

 

Today's Birthday Bash giveaway is a winner's choice of one of Caryl McAdoo's books. The winner will be announced in the Weekly Windup post.  Good luck!

 

Make the Most of Every Day

Forgive my delay in posting. I was away at a writer's conference the past five days and time slipped through my fingers. :)

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

It's a new week and the last couple days of the month. I personally can't believe how fast this year is zipping by. When tomorrow comes to a close we'll be half way through 2015 already.

These verses challenge me to make the most of every day. To be ready to give the reason why my life is set apart and different.

I have to ask myself though whether or not my conversation is always full of grace. Ouch. I fail. There are times when I speak out and say things I shouldn't and then later regret. Sometimes I even know as I start to say it that I shouldn't. I feel that tug from the Holy Spirit telling me to keep my thoughts to myself. Sadly, I don't always listen. I'm thankful that Jesus forgives me when I fail. 

As you start a new week, pray to have conversations full of grace, seasoned with salt, willing to share the hope you have in Jesus Christ. You might be surprised to discover the way God uses you this week to speak His truths. Then check back here and tell your story. 

Praying you a blessed day and week.

Jodie Wolfe A.K.A. Digging for Pearls
Jodie's Website 

P.S. Don't forget to comment to put your name in the hat for this week's drawing. 

A Sunrise Song

Photo by Catherine Castle(c)

 

“Awake, awake and utter a song.” Judges 5:12

 

I heard my first robin of spring last week. After the subzero weather and snow we’ve had in southern Ohio, his song was welcome. He was singing outside the bathroom window. When I looked out, there he was in the neighbor’s lawn, his red breast a welcome spot of color on the dull grass.

I always thought robins were migratory birds, but when I did a Google search I discovered while some migrate, many remain in the same place year round. In winter they form nomadic flocks that travel to where there are fruits and berries left on trees and shrubs. When spring comes, the flocks break up and the robins choose a territory, often where they were the previous year, and begin defending it in preparation for courting and raising chicks.

While researching the migratory habits of robins I also discovered some else I never knew. Male robins sing upon reaching the territory they’ve chosen as their new home. They don’t usually sing when they are in the winter flocks, because hearing other male birds sing stresses them. Birds sing and call for a number of reasons: to attract a mate, defend a territory, keep in touch with family and flock members, warn each other of predators, announce they have found food, and to welcome the dawn. In fact, near sunrise birds often sing more loudly and vigorously than they do at any other time of day.

I found this last tidbit of information very interesting. I’m not usually up at dawn, but I have been awakened on several occasions in the summer by the birds singing outside my window. In my opinion, it’s a hundred times better than the alarm clock.

As a vocalist, I can imagine no greater way to express myself than through song. I wonder how much better our day would go if we, like the robin, started it with a song. Breaking out in a joyful melody to greet the day might lift our hearts, soothe our souls, and would, I’m sure, be appreciated by the Lord.

When we get to the place we’ve chosen as our new home—heaven—I know we’ll be singing as joyfully as the robin greeting the sunrise. After, all we’ll be experiencing our own Son Rise. We won’t have to endure long winters. There will be no more sorrow, no more pain, and our lives will be filled with peace.  

 

Are you singing a sunrise song ?

Devotion from Lessons From Nature—A Gardener’s Devotional© by Catherine Castle

 

Catherine Castle is an award-winning author. You can check out her inspirational romantic suspense TheNun and the Narc at Amazon.

The Captain and the Dancing Natives

Amber Schamel here with our Monday morning devotional. I was in church a couple of weeks ago when our pastor shared an inspiring story with us. It touched my heart, so I thought I'd pass it along.

There is an ancient tale that tells of an island which many of the ships had to pass. This island was inhabited by Natives with a strange culture. The women would all go out on a sandbar and begin to dance and sing. The poor sailors who had been at sea for many months were absolutely tantalized by the women. Their dance would lure the ships to the island, where the Native men were waiting to attack them, kill all on board and take whatever loot they could.

Now there was a certain captain, well known and quite accomplished, who was required to sail his ship past this island. The captain knew his enemy, and he also knew his own weakness. When the island came into sight, he commanded his men to gag him,and tie him to the mast pole. He commanded further that each and every sailor should plug their ears with wax, so that they could not hear the singing and shouting of the Natives as they passed the island.They were not to untie him, or remove the wax from their ears until they reached a certain distance from the island.

"Really, Captain, do you think it necessary to take such drastic measures? I really cannot bring myself to tie my Captain to the mast, bound and gagged." His first mate said.

"I am in complete earnest." Captain replied. "Do you know how many ships have already fallen prey to their ploy? Anyone to disobey my orders will be the death of us all, but if by some chance we do survive, I would have him thrown into the sea."

The captain's orders were obeyed, and he was bound to the mast pole. As they passed the island, the women came out and began to sing, dance and scream, beckoning to the ship with their arms. The island was beautiful with waterfalls, palm trees, serene pools, and native fruit. Watching the display, the captain began to think. The tales can't be true. A little pleasure after so many months at sea couldn't be any harm.

So enchanting was their dance, and the sight of the women that the captain began to squirm against his bonds. He managed to free himself from the cloth that gagged him and shouted to his men. "Turn in, turn the ship into the harbor!"

He screamed till his voice went hoarse, but the sailors paid no heed, after all, their ears were filled with wax.

 When at last they reached the safe distance from the island, they unplugged their ears and untied the captain.With his fit of passion behind him, he was glad he'd had the foresight to instruct his men. It had saved their lives.

When they reached their next port, he was walking down the street when he caught a strain of music unlike any other he'd ever heard. The music drew him into the little church on the corner, and there he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When it came time for the ship to again sail past the perilous island, his first mate held up the rope he had coiled in his hand. "Shall we tie you to the mast pole again, Captain?"

The captain looked at him steadily. "No, mate. Let me loose. I don't need it this time. I've heard something so much greater, the Natives' ploy can tempt me no longer."

And the captain's word held true. As many trips as they made past island, never again was there a need to bind him to the mast.

What a beautiful illustration of II Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Thank you, precious Lord Jesus, for making us new creatures in You, for changing us from the sinful creatures that we once were, and giving us new life. We love You, and worship You. We ask that You would guide us through the week and put Your loving and merciful hand upon us. 

In Jesus' Name, amen.

 

Amber Schamel writes inspiring stories that bring HIStory to life. Keep up with her on Social Media, or check out her website. 

http://amberschamel.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
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Devotion Dilemma

photo by Catherine Castle (c)

 

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God and my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long— Psalms 25:5

 

I’ve been trying for over a week to write this devotion. Well, not this exact devotion. I’ve started at least three new ones, looked over a dozen devotional ideas and not had a bit of luck writing one that seemed to work. So, last Friday, I put them all aside and told myself I’d work on it again over the weekend.

 

This morning, before going out to garden, I turned on my phone and checked the email. One of the blogs I follow had a devotion on it, and I suddenly realized I hadn’t written mine. Panic filled me and I heard God say, “Be still and know that I am God.” I suddenly knew why I hadn’t been able to complete any of the dozen devotions I’d tried to start.

 

 I hadn’t been listening to what He wanted me to say.

 

I do that a lot … depend upon my own skill and knowledge to create, repair, and complete things. It’s a bad human habit I have. It’s not that I don’t know God should lead me, or that I don’t want His input. I just get caught up in the momentum of life and go ahead on my own because my basic nature is to be a fixer.

 

Funny thing though, I have the greatest fixer ever on my team … God. If I’d have just paused and said, “Ok, what do You want me to write?” I probably wouldn’t be scrambling now to get this devotion done. Which flowed like water from a tap, unlike the others I’d tried to write.

 

Lesson learned … again (because I’m hard-headed): Stop and listen, because He wants to guide me and teach me.

 

What about you? Do you ever forget to let God lead you?